Stacker for plate members, method for stacking plate members, and stacked plate members

ABSTRACT

A stacker ( 10 ) for plate members includes a platform ( 15 ) on which plate members ( 20 ) are to be stacked and at least one pair of guides ( 11, 13 ) disposed at both sides of the platform ( 15 ) relative to a transferring direction of the plate members. Each of the guides ( 11, 13 ) has a ridge ( 12   a,    14   a ) spirally formed on a rotational axial portion ( 12, 14 ) and a groove ( 12   b,    14   b ) formed along the ridge ( 12   a,    14   a ). The aforementioned at least one pair of guides ( 11, 13 ) are rotated with opposite edges of the plate member ( 20 ) engaged with the grooves ( 12   b,    14   b ) of the guides ( 11, 13 ), to thereby move the plate member ( 20 ) toward the platform ( 15 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2001-92361 filed on Mar. 28, 2001 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/302,688 filed on July, 5, 2001, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a)claiming the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) of the filing dateof Provisional Application No. 60/302,688 filed on July, 5, 2001pursuant to 35 U.S.C.§111(b).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a stacker for plate members, amethod for stacking plate members and stacked plate members, morespecifically to, a stacker preferably used for stacking plate members,for example, sheared by a flying shear, a method for stacking the platemembers and the stacked plate members.

BACKGROUND ART

[0004] At an exit side of a flying shear, a stacker is disposed via atransferring apparatus so as to neatly stack plate members each having apredetermined length and sheared by the flying shear.

[0005] As this kind of conventional stacker, a stacker that stacks platemembers while naturally dropping them or a stacker that stacks platemembers while positioning them with a cam driven by an electronicallycontrolled actuator are known.

[0006] Now, a plate-shaped inner fin to be disposed in a heat exchangingtube for car air-conditioning evaporators is formed into a thin and wavycross-section. In cases where these inner fins are stacked by utilizingsuch a conventional stacker, there are the following problems.

[0007] In the former stacker that stacks plate members by naturallydropping them, there is a problem that the inner fin may be deformed bythe impact at the time of dropping because the inner fin is thin andtherefore easy to be deformed. Furthermore, since the inner fin is thinand that the inner fin is generally made of aluminum or its alloy andtherefore very light in weight, the dropping rate is slow, which in turndeteriorates the stacking rate. Furthermore, since the inner fin is madeinto a wavy cross-section, it is hard to specify the dropping directionthereof, which causes difficulty in neatly arranging them.

[0008] On the other hand, in the latter stacker that stacks platemembers with a cam, since the inner fin is positioned one by one, thestacking rate is slow. Furthermore, since the inner fin is easilydeformed because of the thin thickness, the cam causes a deformation ofthe inner fin.

[0009] Furthermore, it was difficult to neatly stack the inner finssince the inner fins with no oil are hard to slide with each other.

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the aforementionedtechnical background, and aims to provide a stacker capable of movingnot only thick plate members but also thin plate members such as innerfins to a stacking position at a high rate without causing anydeformation of the plate members, a method of stacking plate members anda stacked plate members stacked by the method.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following preferred embodiments.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a stackerfor plate members includes a platform on which plate members transferredat a predetermined rate are to be stacked, and at least one pair ofguides disposed at both sides of the platform relative to a transferringdirection of the plate member, each of the guides having a ridgespirally formed on a rotational axial portion and a groove formed alongthe ridge, wherein the aforementioned at least one pair of guides arerotated with opposite edges of the plate member engaged with the groovesof the guides, to thereby move the plate member toward the platform.

[0013] In this stacker, the plate member is transferred between the pairof rotating guides. The side edges of this plate member are received bythe grooves of the guides. Accordingly, the side edges of the platemember are supported by the ridges of these guides and positionedrelative to the right-and-left direction of the plate member. In thisstate, in accordance with the rotation of guides, the plate member ismoved toward the platform while the side edges of the plate member arebeing guided by the grooves, to thereby be disposed on the platform oron the upper most plate member disposed on the platform. In this state,since each plate member is positioned relative to the right-and-leftdirection thereof, plate members are stacked in perfect alignment.Furthermore, during the movement of the plate member toward theplatform, side edges of a newly transferred plate member are received bythe grooves similarly as mentioned above. This newly transferred platemember is moved toward the platform in accordance with the rotation ofthe guides. In this way, the side edges of each of newly transferredplate members are received by the grooves one after another, and theseplate members are moved toward the platform in accordance with therotation of each guide to be stacked one on another. As a result, theplate members are stacked at a high rate.

[0014] In this stacker, since the plate member is moved by the guideswith the side edges supported by the ridges, even in cases where thethickness of the plate member, e.g. an inner fin, is thin, it ispossible to move the plate member toward the platform without causingany deformation thereof.

[0015] In the aforementioned stacker, it is preferable that the platformis moved in the same direction as a moving direction of the plate membertoward the platform at a rate corresponding to a stacking rate of platemembers. In this case, the stacking position of the plate member abovethe platform is kept constant. As a result, even in cases where thethickness of the plate member is thin, it is possible to stack theseplate members without causing any deformation thereof. The stacking rateS of the plate members is given by the following equation (i):

S=N×d  (i)

[0016] where S is a stacking rate of the plate members, N is the numberof plate members to be stacked per unit time and d is a thickness of theplate member.

[0017] Accordingly, the platform is moved at the same rate as thestacking rate S of the plate member.

[0018] In the aforementioned stacker, it is preferable that the stackerfurther includes a stopper for stopping a forward movement of the platemember by coming in contact with a front end portion of the platemember, the stopper being disposed at a front side of the platform. Inthis case, the front end of the plate member comes in contact with thestopper, resulting in a positioning of the plate member relative to theforward direction. Accordingly, plate members can be stacked in perfectalignment.

[0019] It is preferable that one of the pair of guides has a spiralridge and the other thereof has a reverse spiral ridge and that both ofthe pair of guides are rotated so that the plate member is transferredforward. In this case, the plate member whose both side edges arereceived by the grooves is transferred forward. At this time, in caseswhere a stopper is disposed at the front side of the platform, the frontedge of this plate member is pushed against the stopper by receiving therotational force of the pair of guides. As a result, the positioning ofthe plate member in the fore-and-aft direction thereof is performed withaccuracy. While keeping this positioned state, the plate member is movedtoward the platform. Accordingly, the plate members can be stacked inperfect alignment.

[0020] It is preferable that a width of a top portion of the ridge isset to be smaller than a width of a basal portion of the ridge. In thiscase, the side edges of the plate member can be assuredly received bythe grooves of the guides.

[0021] With the aforementioned stacker, a plate member having athickness of 0.15 mm or less can be stacked without causing anydeformation thereof.

[0022] With the aforementioned stacker, even if the plate member has adented portion and/or a protruded portion at one side or both sides ofthe plate member, it is possible to stack these plate members.

[0023] In the aforementioned stacker, it is preferable that the platemember is transferred to the stacker by a transferring apparatus. Inthis case, the plate member can be automatically transferred to thestacker, resulting in efficient stacking.

[0024] In the aforementioned stacker, it is preferable that the platemember is a member sheared by a flying shear and transferred to thestacker by a transferring apparatus disposed at an exit side of theflying shear. In this case, the plate member sheared by the flying shearcan be stacked at a high rate without causing any deformation.

[0025] The stacked plate members according to the second aspect of thepresent invention are stacked by the stacker according to the firstaspect of the present. According to the second aspect of the presentinvention, stacked plate members in perfect alignment can be obtained.

[0026] A method for stacking plate members according to the third aspectof the present invention includes the steps of preparing a stackercomprising a platform on which plate members transferred at apredetermined rate are to be stacked, and at least one pair of guidesdisposed at both sides of the platform relative to a transferringdirection of the plate member, each of the guides having a ridgespirally formed on a rotational axial portion and a groove formed alongthe ridge, and rotating the at least one pair of guides with oppositeedges of the plate member engaged with the grooves of correspondingguides, to thereby move the plate member toward the platform.

[0027] In the method of stacking plate members, it is preferable thatthe platform is moved in the same direction as a moving direction of theplate member toward the platform at a rate corresponding to a stackingrate of plate members. In this case, the plate members can be stackedwithout causing any deformation.

[0028] In the method of stacking plate members, it is preferable thatthe forward movement of the plate member is stopped by a stopperdisposed at a front side of the platform. In this case, the platemembers can be stacked in perfect alignment.

[0029] It is preferable that one of the pair of guides has a spiralridge and the other thereof has a reverse spiral ridge and that the pairof guides are rotated so that the plate member is transferred forward.In this case, the plate members can be stacked in perfect alignment.

[0030] It is preferable that a width of a top portion of the ridge isset to be smaller than a width of a basal portion of the ridge. In thiscase, the side edges of the plate member are received by the grooves ofthe guides assuredly.

[0031] According to the method of stacking plate members, even if theplate member is 0.15 mm or less in thickness, it is possible to stackthese plate members without causing any deformation.

[0032] According to the method of stacking plate member, even if theplate member has a dented portion and/or a protruded portion at one sideor both sides of the plate member, it is possible to stack these platemembers assuredly.

[0033] In the method of stacking plate members, it is preferable thatthe plate member is transferred to the stacker by a transferringapparatus. In this case, the transferring of the plate member to thestacker is automatically performed, resulting in efficient stacking.

[0034] It is preferable that the plate member is a member sheared by aflying shear and transferred to the stacker by a transferring apparatusdisposed at an exit side of the flying shear. In this case, it ispossible to stack the sheared plate members sheared by a flying shear.

[0035] The stacked plate members according to the fourth aspect of thepresent invention are stacked by the method according to the thirdaspect of the present invention. According to the fourth aspect of thepresent invention, the stacked plate members in perfect alignment can beobtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a side view showing a stacker for plate membersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a plane view showing the stacker.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG.2.

[0039]FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing the stacker as seen fromthe line Y-Y in FIG. 2.

[0040]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion A shown in FIG. 4.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] The present invention will be described with reference to theattached drawings.

[0042] FIGS. 1-2 and 3-5 show a stacker for stacking plate membersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2,the reference numerals 1 and 10 denote a flying shear and a stacker,respectively.

[0043] In this embodiment, the plate member 20 to be stacked by thestacker 10 is a metal member, or a corrugated inner fin made of aluminumor its alloy sheared by a flying shear 1. This inner fin 20 is a memberto be disposed in a heat exchanging tube constituting a heat exchangersuch as an evaporator for car air conditioners. In general, this kind ofinner fin 20 has a length of 150 to 250 mm and a width of 20 to 70 mm.Thickness thereof is extremely small such as 0.15 mm or less.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flying shear 1 is an apparatus forshearing a long plate member (i.e., inner fin member material 20′)having a predetermined width and a predetermined cross-sectional shapeformed by a forming apparatus (not shown) and continuously supplied at apredetermined rate from the forming apparatus into pieces (i.e., finmembers 20) each having a predetermined length.

[0045] This flying shear 1 is equipped with a pair of upper and lowerfeeding rollers 2 and 2, a pair of upper and lower cutting rollers 3 and3 and a pair of upper and lower forwarding rollers 4 and 4.

[0046] The aforementioned pair of upper and lower feeding rollers 2 and2 are used to feed a long plate member 20′ continuously supplied fromthe aforementioned forming apparatus to the cutting rollers 3 and 3.

[0047] The aforementioned pair of upper and lower cutting rollers 3 and3 are used to cut the long plate member 20′ fed from the feeding rollers2 and 2 into plate members 20 each having a predetermined length. Eachcutting roller 3 is equipped with a pair of cutting portions 3 a and 3 afor shearing the plate member 20′. The cutting portions 3 a and 3 a areformed on the peripheral surface of each cutting roller 3 at regularintervals in the circumferential direction, and the correspondingcutting portions 3 a and 3 a of the pair of cutting rollers 3 and 3 areengaged with each other to shear the long plate member 20′.

[0048] The aforementioned forwarding rollers 4 and 4 are used to forwardthe plate member 20 having a predetermined length cut by the cuttingrollers 3 and 3 at a prescribed rate.

[0049] The plate member 20′ (inner fin material) is formed by theforming apparatus into the cross-sectional shape having a wavy middleportion and flat side edges as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the platemember 20 has a plurality of dented portions 20 a and protruded portions20 b alternatively formed on the both surfaces of the plate member 20 soas to extend in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 1, at the exit side of the flying shear 1, apair of upper and lower transferring rollers 5 and 5 are provided. Theserollers 5 and 5 are designed to transfer the plate member 20 to astacker 10 while keeping the plate member 20 in an approximatelyhorizontal position.

[0051] The stacker 10 is equipped with a platform 15 and plural pairs ofright and left columnar guides 11 and 13.

[0052] The platform 15 is arranged in approximately parallel with theplate member 20 transferred by the transferring rollers 5 and as shownin FIGS. 1 and 4. In this embodiment, since the plate member 20 istransferred to the stacker 10 in a horizontal position, this platform 15is disposed horizontally. On this platform 15, the plate members 20transferred to the stacker 10 at a predetermined rate by thetransferring rollers 5 and 5 are stacked.

[0053] The aforementioned plural pairs of guides 11 and 13 are arrangedat right and left sides of the platform 15 as seen from the flying shear1 at predetermined intervals along the transferring direction of theplate member 20. In this embodiment, since the plate member 20 is in ahorizontal position, the plural pairs of guides 11 and 13 are arrangedvertically. In this embodiment, three pairs of guides 11 and 13 areprovided. The position of each guide 11 and 13 is fixed.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, each guide 11(13) has a columnar axialportion 12(14) which is round in cross-section and has a predeterminedlength. On the peripheral surface of this rotation axial portion 12(14),a ridge 12 a(14 a) is integrally formed in a spiral manner along theentire length of the axial portion 12(14). Thus, a groove 12 b(14 b) isspirally formed along the entire length of the ridge 12 a(14 a). Theridge 12 a(14 a) is formed intoatrapezoid shape in cross-section, morespecifically, an isosceles trapezoid shape in cross-section.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the width H of the top portion of thisridge 12 a(14 a) is set to be smaller than the width of the basal endportion of the ridge 12 a(14 a). The top portion of the ridge 12 a(14 a)is formed to have a width H of, for example, 1.5 mm. It is preferablethat the angle θ formed by the both sides of the ridge 12 a(14 a) fallswithin the range of 200 to 30°. The height T of the ridge 12 a(14 a) isset to, for example, 7 mm. The pitch P (see FIG. 4) of the ridge 12 a(14a) is set to, for example, 10 mm. Furthermore, the diameter φ (see FIG.4) of each axial portion 12(14) is set to, for example, 40 mm.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this stacker 10, a bar-shapedstopper 17, which is round in cross-section and has a predeterminedlength, is disposed perpendicularly to a plane including the platemember 20. In this embodiment, since the plate member 20 is in ahorizontal position, the stopper 17 is arranged vertically such that theupper end thereof is located at the level the same as or higher than theupper end of the guide 11(13) and that the lower end thereof is locatedat the level the same as or lower than the lower end of the guide11(13). On the other hand, the platform 15 is disposed at the level thesame as or lower than the lower end of the guide 11(13).

[0056] Each guide 11(13) is connected to a rotation driving apparatus(not shown), so that the guide 11(13) is rotated about the axis thereofin a prescribed direction.

[0057] In the following explanation, for convenience sake, the guides 11located at the left side of the platform 15 and the guides 13 located atthe right side thereof as seen from the plate member introducing sidewill be referred to as a ‘left guide group 110’ and a ‘right guide group130’, respectively.

[0058] The ridge 12 a of each guide 11 constituting the left guide group110 spirals clockwise from the upper end toward the lower end as seenfrom the top. On the other hand, the ridge 14 a of each guide 13constituting the right guide group 130 spirals counterclockwise from theupper end toward the lower end as seen from the top.

[0059] Furthermore, each guide 11 of the left guide group 110 is rotatedcounterclockwise as seen from the top, i.e., in the direction that theplate member 20 is forwarded toward the stopper 17. In FIGS. 2 and 4,the arrow L denotes the rotational direction of each guide 11constituting the left guide group 110. On the other hand, each guide 13of the right guide group 130 is rotated clockwise as seen from the top,i.e., in the direction that the plate member 20 is forwarded toward thestopper 17. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the arrow R denotes the rotationaldirection of each guide 13 constituting the right guide group 130.

[0060] The platform 15 is connected to a lifting device (not shown), andmoved downward, or in the same direction as the moving direction of theplate member 20 toward the platform 15, at the predetermined rate inaccordance with the driving of the lifting device.

[0061] Next, the operation of the aforementioned stacker 10 will beexplained.

[0062] A long belt-shaped plate member 20′ having a predeterminedconfiguration is formed by a forming apparatus. Then, this plate member201 is continuously supplied to the flying shear 1 at a predeterminedrate. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supplied plate member 20′ isintroduced between the rotating feeding rollers 2 and 2 of the flyingshear 1, so that the material 20′ passes therebetween. Thereafter, themember 20′ is forwarded toward the rotating cutting rollers 3 and 3 bythe feeding rollers 2 and 2. The member 20′ is sheared by the engagedpair of cutting portions 3 a and 3 a of the cutting rollers 3 and 3 intoa plate member 20 having a predetermined length.

[0063] Subsequently, this plate member 20 passes through the rotatingforwarding rollers 4 and 4 and the rotating transferring rollers 5 and 5in this order. Then, this plate member 20 is transferred to the stacker10 at a predetermined rate while keeping the horizontal state.

[0064] At a predetermined timing, as mentioned above, each guide 11 ofthe left guide group 110 is rotated in the direction L for forwardingthe plate member 20 toward the stopper 17, while each guide 13 of theright guide group 130 is rotated in the direction R for forwarding theplate member 20 toward the stopper 17. Each guide 11 of the left guidegroup 110 and that of the right guide group 130 are rotated at the samerate.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the plate member 20 transferred to thestacker 10 by the transferring rollers 5 and 5 is supported by andbetween the left guide group 110 and the right guide group 130 in astate that the left edge of the plate member 20 received by the groove12 b is supported by the ridge 12 a while the right edge thereofreceived by the groove 14 b is supported by the ridge 14 a. In thisstate, the plate member 20 is disposed horizontally and positionedrelative to the right-and-left direction with the right and left edgesof the plate member 20 engaged with the right and left guide groups 110and 130. This plate member 20 is transferred forward by receiving therotational force of the left guides 11 of the left guide group 110 andthat of the right guides 13 of the right guide group 130. Accordingly,the front edge of the plate member 20 is pressed against the stopper 17.By this pressing, the plate member 20 is positioned relative to thefore-and-aft direction thereof.

[0066] With this positioned state, in accordance with the rotation ofthe guides 11 and 13, the plate member 20 is guided by the grooves 12 band 14 b downward toward the platform 15 at a predetermined rate.Finally, this plate member 20 is discharged from the lower ends of theguides 11 and 13 to be placed on the platform 15.

[0067] While the plate member 20 is being moved downward, another platemember 20 newly transferred to the stacker 10 by the transferringrollers 5 and 5 is supported by and between the left guide group 110 andthe right guide group 130 in a state that the left edge of the platemember 20 received by the groove 12 b is supported by the ridge 12 awhile the right edge thereof received by the groove 14 b is supported bythe ridge 14 a. The plate member 20 is also guided by the grooves 12 band 14 b downward toward the platform 15 at a predetermined rate inaccordance with the rotation of the guides 11 and 13. Finally, thisplate member 20 is discharged from the lower ends of the guides 11 and13 and placed on the aforementioned plate member 20 on the platform 15.

[0068] Similarly, the following plate members 20 successivelytransferred from the transferring rollers 5 and 5 are supported by andbetween the left guide group 110 and the right guide group 130 in astate that the left edge of the plate member 20 received by the groove12 b is supported by the ridge 12 a while the right edge thereofreceived by the groove 14 b is supported by the ridge 14 a. Then, theseplate members 20 are guided downward by the grooves 12 b and 14 b towardthe platform 15 at a predetermined rate in accordance with the rotationof the guides 11 and 13, and stacked on the platform 15.

[0069] By using this stacker 10, plate members 20 can be stacked at avery fast stacking rate, which in turn enables the flying shear 1 toincrease the shearing speed. Furthermore, since a plurality of platemembers 20 are stacked on the platform 15 one after another, the platemembers 20 can be laminated in an aligned manner.

[0070] On the other hand, the platform 15 is moved downward atapproximately the same rate as the stacking rate S of the plate members20. The stacking rate S of the plate members 20 is given by theaforementioned formula (i). Accordingly, by setting the height positionof the upper most plate member 20 to the height position of the lowerend of each guide 11(13), the plate member 20 discharged from the lowerend of each guide 11(13) will be placed on the upper most plate member20 stacked on the platform 15 immediately after the discharge. As aresult, the plate members 20 can be prevented from being deformed due toa shock at the time of stacking them, and therefore can be stackedwithout causing any deformation of the plate members 20.

[0071] In this embodiment, in the state that the plate members 20 arestacked on the platform 15, the upper most plate member 20 is in contactwith the lower surfaces of the lower ends of the ridges 12 a and 14 a ofthe right and left guides 11 and 13, and pressed downward by them.

[0072] According to this stacker 10, the plate members 20 are stacked ina state that they are positioned relative to the fore-and-aft directionas well as the right-and-left direction. Accordingly, the plate members20 can be stacked neatly.

[0073] Furthermore, the plate member 20 is moved downward in a statethat the right and left edges of the plate member 20 are supported bythe ridges 12 a and 14 a of the guides 11 and 13 of the right and leftguide groups 110 and 130. Accordingly, even if the plate member 20 has athin thickness such as 0.15 mm or less, the plate member 20 can bestacked without causing any deformation. In addition, since the platemembers 20 are stacked by disposing one on another from the above, theplate members 20 can be stacked neatly without applying any lubricant onthe surfaces of the plate members. Even in cases where the plate members20 each having dented portions 20 a and protruded portions 20 b on bothsurfaces thereof are stacked, these plate members 20 can be stackedeasily.

[0074] Furthermore, since the stopper 17 is disposed at the front sideof the platform 15, the positioning of the plate member 20 relative tothe fore-and-aft direction thereof can be performed with accuracy.Accordingly, plate members 20 can be stacked in perfect alignment.

[0075] Furthermore, since the width H of the top portion of the ridge 12a(14 a) is set to be smaller than the width of the basal portion of theridge, the side edges of the plate member 20 can be assuredly receivedby the grooves 12 b and 14 b of the guides 11 and 13.

[0076] Furthermore, since plate members 20 are transferred to thestacker 10 by the transferring rollers 5 and 5, the plate members 20 canbe supplied to the stacker 1 with great efficiency.

[0077] Even if the operation of the flying shear 1 stops or the shearingspeed changes, the stacking operation of the stacker 10 would not beadversely affected by the above.

[0078] Although the present invention is explained with referring to theaforementioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to theaforementioned embodiment but may be changed variously.

[0079] For example, although the stacker 10 is disposed adjacent to theflying shear 1 in the aforementioned embodiment, it may be disposedadjacent to a press punching apparatus or the like.

[0080] In the aforementioned embodiment, the stacker 10 is provided withthree pairs of guides 11 and 13. However, the stacker according to thepresent invention may be provided with a plurality of pairs of guides oronly one pair of guides.

[0081] In the aforementioned embodiment, the plate member 20 istransferred to the stacker in a horizontal position. However, in thepresent invention, the plate member 20 may be transferred to the stackerin a vertical position. In the latter case, the platform 15 is disposedvertically, while the pair of guides 11 and 13 are disposedhorizontally.

[0082] Furthermore, in the present invention, the plate member 20 may bea member other than the aforementioned inner fin.

[0083] With the stacker according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, since the plate member is moved toward the platform by thepair of rotating guides with both side edges of the plate member engagedwith the grooves of the pair of guides, the plate member can bepositioned relative to the right-and-left direction thereof at the timeof stacking the plate members. Furthermore, since the plate member ismoved toward the platform in a state that the side edges of the platemember are supported by the ridges of the guides, not only a thick platemember but also a thin plate member can be moved toward the platformwithout causing any deformation thereof. Moreover, even in the middle ofmoving the plate member, a newly transferred plate member can be movedtoward the platform. Accordingly, a plurality of plate members can bestacked at a high speed.

[0084] Furthermore, in the aforementioned stacker, in cases where astopper which stops the forward movement of a plate member by coming incontact with the front edge of the plate member is provided, the platemembers can be stacked in perfect alignment.

[0085] According to the second aspect of the present invention, stackedplate members in perfect alignment can be obtained.

[0086] With the method of stacking plate members according to the thirdaspect of the present invention, plate members can be moved toward aplatform at a high speed without causing any deformation.

[0087] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, stackedplate members in perfect alignment can be obtained.

[0088] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein areused as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is nointent, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any ofthe equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof,but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within thescope of the invention claimed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0089] A stacker for plate members according to the first aspect of thepresent invention can be used as a stacker for stacking plate-shapedpieces sheared by a flying shear, or plate-shaped blanks punched by apunching apparatus. A method of stacking plate members according to thethird aspect of the present invention can be used as a method ofstacking plate-shaped pieces sheared by a flying shear or plate-shapedblanks punched by a punching apparatus.

1. A stacker for plate members, comprising: a platform (15) on whichplate members (20) transferred at a predetermined rate are to bestacked; and at least one pair of guides (11, 13) disposed at both sidesof said platform (15) relative to a transferring direction of the platemembers (20), each of said guides (11, 13) having a ridge (12 a, 14 a)spirally formed on a rotational axial portion (12, 14) and a groove (12b, 14 b) formed along said ridge (12 a, 14 a), wherein said at least onepair of guides (11, 13) are rotated with opposite edges of the platemember (20) engaged with said grooves (12 b, 14 b) of said at least onepair of guides (11, 13), to thereby move the plate member (20) towardsaid platform (15).
 2. The stacker for plate members as recited in claim1, wherein said platform (15) is moved in the same direction as a movingdirection of the plate member (20) toward said platform (15) at a ratecorresponding to a stacking rate of plate members.
 3. The stacker forplate members as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stopper (17)for stopping a forward movement of the plate member (20) by coming incontact with a front end portion of the plate member (20), said stopper(17) being disposed at a front side of said platform (15).
 4. Thestacker for plate members as recited in claim 1, wherein one of saidpair of guides (11) has a spiral ridge (12 a) and the other thereof (13)has a reverse spiral ridge (14 a), and wherein both of said pair ofguides (11, 13) are rotated so that the plate member (20) is transferredforward.
 5. The stacker for plate members as recited in claim 1, whereina width (H) of a top portion of said ridge (12 a, 14 a) is set to besmaller than a width of a basal portion of said ridge.
 6. The stackerfor plate members as recited in claim 1, wherein the plate member (20)is 0.15 mm or less in thickness.
 7. The stacker for plate members asrecited in claim 1, wherein the plate member (20) has a dented portionand/or a protruded portion at one side or both sides of the platemember.
 8. The stacker for plate members as recited in claim 1, whereinthe plate member (20) is transferred to said stacker (10) by atransferring apparatus (5).
 9. The stacker for plate members as recitedin claim 1, wherein the plate member (20) is a member sheared by aflying shear (1) and transferred to said stacker (10) by a transferringapparatus (5) disposed at an exit side of said flying shear (1). 10.Stacked plate members stacked by said stacker as recited in any one ofclaims 1 to
 9. 11. A method of stacking plate members, including thesteps of: preparing a stacker comprising a platform (15) on which platemembers (20) transferred at a predetermined rate are to be stacked, andat least one pair of guides (11, 13) disposed at both sides of saidplatform (15) relative to a transferring direction of the plate members(20), each of said guides (11, 13) having a ridge (12 a, 14 a) spirallyformed on a rotational axial portion (12, 14) and a groove (12 b, 14 b)formed along said ridge (12 a, 14 a); and rotating said at least onepair of guides (11, 13) with opposite edges of the plate member (20)engaged with said grooves (12 b, 14 b) of said at least one pair ofguides (11, 13), to thereby move the plate member (20) toward saidplatform (15).
 12. The method of stacking plate members as recited inclaim 11, wherein said platform (15) is moved in the same direction as amoving direction of the plate member (20) toward said platform (15) at arate corresponding to a stacking rate of plate members.
 13. The methodof stacking plate members as recited in claim 11, further comprising astep of stopping a forward movement of the plate member (20) by abuttinga front end portion of the plate member (20) with a stopper (17), saidstopper (17) being disposed at a front side of said platform (15). 14.The method of stacking plate members as recited in claim 11, wherein oneof said pair of guides (11) has a spiral ridge (12 a) and the otherthereof (13) has a reverse spiral ridge (14 a), and wherein said pair ofguides (11, 13) are rotated so that the plate member (20) is transferredforward.
 15. The method of stacking plate members as recited in claim11, wherein a width (H) of a top portion of said ridge (12 a, 14 a) isset to be smaller than a width of a basal portion of said ridge.
 16. Themethod of stacking plate members as recited in claim 11, wherein theplate member (20) is 0.15 mm or less in thickness.
 17. The method ofstacking plate members as recited in claim 11, wherein the plate member(20) has a dented portion and/or a protruded portion at one side or bothsides of the plate member.
 18. The method of stacking plate members asrecited in claim 11, wherein the plate member (20) is transferred tosaid stacker (10) by a transferring apparatus (5).
 19. The method ofstacking plate members as recited in claim 11, wherein the plate member(20) is a member sheared by a flying shear (1) and transferred to saidstacker (10) by a transferring apparatus (5) disposed at an exit side ofsaid flying shear (1).
 20. Stacked plate members stacked by said methodas recited in any one of claims 11 to 19.